Good morning, and happy June! (Wait, it’s June already? How the hell did that happen?) Today we’re looking at a couple of newer gas-savers with some interesting styling choices. But before we do, let’s take a look at yesterday’s lien-sale results:
Easy win for the Mustang. There wasn’t a whole lot of love for either of these cars in the comments, but the ability to confirm that the Mustang runs seemed to make it the safer bet.
Oh well. Maybe you’ll like today’s options better. Here we have two economy cars, both with manual transmissions, both from the Austin, Texas area. Now, traditionally, economy cars aren’t much to look at. Some designs last long enough to become iconic: think Beetle or 2CV. But more often, you end up with simple, dreary, forgettable shapes, like Nissan Sentras or Chevy Chevettes. But why does it have to be that way? Why shouldn’t a cheap-and-cheerful car be more, you know, cheerful? Why not go retro, or full-on weird? These two did their part to make the small car landscape more fun, while they lasted, anyway. Let’s see which one is the better buy today.
2010 Nissan Cube – $3,999
Engine/drivetrain: 1.8 liter dual overhead cam inline 4, six-speed manual, FWD
Location: Austin, TX
Odometer reading: 184,000 miles
Runs/drives? Runs great
The Nissan Cube appeared in the US in 2009, but this is actually the third generation Cube. The first was nothing much to look at, just a basic small hatchback with an extra-tall roofline. The second generation introduced the basic shape we see here, with that amazing asymmetrical rear window. That window, by the way, is on the other side on right-hand-drive Cubes, and the rear door opens on the opposite side. Nissan basically mirrored the entire car, not just the dashboard as usual. This might be the most work a carmaker has ever done to switch a car from right-hand-drive to left.
US-market Cubes got a larger engine than Japanese models, a 1.8 liter four-cylinder, powering the front wheels through either a CVT or, as in this case, a six-speed manual. This one is said to run and drive perfectly, and everything works including the air conditioning. It’s being sold by a dealer, so we don’t have any real knowledge of its history. A careful inspection is a good idea just to make sure everything’s in order.
It seems to have held up well over the years and miles: There is some wear and tear inside, but not much. The silver paint looks good, and I don’t see any signs of damage. If it really does have a mechanical clean bill of health, this looks like a pretty good deal.
That is, it’s a good deal if you like the Cube’s unorthodox design, which I happen to. Yeah, it’s weird, but at least you can find it in a parking lot.
2013 Fiat 500 Lounge – $3,500
Engine/drivetrain: 1.4 liter dual overhead cam inline 4, five-speed manual, FWD
Location: Austin, TX
Odometer reading: 150,000 miles
Runs/drives? Very well
Fiat took a different route when designing the 500, taking a page from Mini’s book and creating a modernized version of their classic 500 from the ’50s. It’s larger, and the engine is at the opposite end, but the feeling is there. I do applaud Fiat for designing this car as a two-door; not every car needs four doors, and two larger openings on a tiny car can be a lot more useful than four small ones.
Also like the Mini, the Fiat 500 is a bit more stylish and upscale inside than your average economy car, especially this one in “Lounge” trim. The body-colored dash is a nice touch, and works better here than in another retro-themed vehicle – Chrysler’s PT Cruiser. The gearshift residing in a pod extending from the dash instead of coming up out of the floor can be found in some other cars as well, namely the Honda Element and the Toyota Matrix. I imagine it helps keep the throws short while putting the lever within easy reach, and with modern cable-operated linkages, it doesn’t really matter where the actual shifter is.
This little Fiat’s 1.4 liter twincam engine is said to run well, and it recently passed an emissions test, which is a good sign. The seller also says that the air conditioning and all power options work fine. Cosmetically, it’s a little rough around the edges outside, with some dings and scrapes on the left front corner, and a broken side marker light. The clearcoat on the paint has also seen better days.
The inside looks better. The leather seats are in good condition, and it looks nice and clean in there. I’ve liked these little cars ever since they came out, and I was sad to see them discontinued in the US. It’s cool to see them finally depreciate into my typical price range, but of course it’s now when I don’t need, or have a place to put, another car. Such is life.
Small cars make sense, and stickshift small cars are a lot more fun than automatics. There’s no shortage of options, if you’re willing to dig a little, but why not choose something with a little style? So what’ll it be – the Japanese exercise in weirdness, or the Italian retro pastiche?
(Image credits: Craigslist sellers)
I voted for the Fiat because well,I own one!
(2012 Fiat 500 Abarth,5-speed manual-Rosso(red) with black mirror caps).
The car is an absolute blast to drive,truly a go cart in every sense of the word when it Sport mode. I’ve owned mine since brand new,currently have 64K on the odometer and it has been one of the most reliable cars I’ve ever owned. Just had new brake pads and rotors installed on it a month ago,along with a new rear wheel bearing. Aside from that all I’ve done to the car is scheduled maintenance (oil changes,tire rotations,chassis lube,timing belt and water pump was replaced at 60K miles). Been averaging between 33 to 40 mpg or about 350 to 400 miles a tankful (I keep it on a steady diet of 93 octane). No issues with the clear coat on mine,but I periodically wash and wax the car,plus it doesn’t stay exposed to sunlight.
If FCA (now Stellantis) had marketed the 500 correctly perhaps it would’ve been more successful.
i own a 2012 500. yeah, its a bit gutless down low, but its also immensely fun at legal speeds. with the rear seats down you have tons of room for stuff, its bigger than it looks. its been one of the easier modern cars ive worked on and has been shockingly reliable. going through the expense and pain to install a double DIN stereo is well worth it. a poorly maintained multiair can be cause for concern, but change out the sub oil filter on your first oil change and you’ll likely be fine. Fiat, all the way. If you need an appliance, you might as well have the fun one.
If you know your way around the Fiat, nothing on it is a challenge to fix and parts are plentiful and cheap. Also, as a note, it does NOT have a twin cam motor. It’s way cooler than that. The Fiat uses a multi-air system where the entire intake process is controlled with oil pressure and electronics. Basically infinitely adjustable intake timing.
I hate to choose the Nissan, but it just looks better inside and out. That 500 looks crusty. Rode hard, put up wet and baked to death in the sun.
(Also, yeesh. I know Austin drivers. I live here. Everyone sucks at cars.)
Fun aside: I picked my cagebuilder for the 944 after seeing one of his B-Spec 500s go inverted twice in one weekend, haha. They’re a little tippy!
Yeah, I think I’m on Team Companion Cube here, even if it is in Worst Color. The cinquecento’s two-tone interior is cute as hell but the horror stories from my buddy who had the Abarth version (which go beyond the engine) would keep me away.
A friend had a Fiat a few years ago. “Had” is a gross exaggeration. In reality, the dealership had all of the quality time with it – most of the year before my friend Lemon Lawed it. An utterly horrible piece of crap that broke constantly. I’d prefer a Kia Soul or Scion Xb before the Nissan, but definitely the Nissan before the Fiat.
Obviously I’m picking the Fiat. I’d negotiate it down a little perhaps, but that’s pretty much my vehicular bread and butter
As a known Nissan detractor the choice of the Fiat would be obvious… except, I had several Cubes as rentals and was surprised by their utility and general competence – unlike the horrid Versas sitting alongside them in the rental lots. I could see myself actually owning and driving the Cube. It seems like good value for money, while I’d fear for the Fiat being a money pit. I can’t fault those who went for Italian flair, though.
Both ugly but in a bind i will go □ and hope i dont break that weird $2,000 window.
I like the strawberry-flavored Fiat (you’re right, Mark; the world needs more two-doors), and my friend’s 500 (which is, tragically, grey and automatic) is fun around town and has been pretty good to him, but I’d trust the Nissan slightly more at 150k+.
Really, the Nissan takes it because it’s one of the only grey cars I’d consider buying at market value. It’s a few pink hearts away from being a perfect Companion.
As the former owner of an xB, I support all of its geometrically similar brethren. The Cube!
brother !
my current truck is still running, once it dies I’m going to have a lot of trouble not buying a Fiat.. maybe by then I’ll be retired and have time to keep up with the maintenance..
I’m gleaming the Cube.
Cube because Manual. If it had been CVT it would not be running still anyway, so no need to say if it was a CVT then no.
I’m not a fan of either, but more in the “I’m not a fan of the Fiat and get irrationally angry when I have to look at a Cube” sort. Plus I’ve heard the Fiats are kinda fun to drive, so… Fiat it is.
I like the Cube, but my experience with my wife’s ’15 500 Sport means I’d take the Fiat. That little car has been an absolute joy, even though hers is automatic. The interior quality is a bit Fiat-like, but mechanically it’s been pretty much flawless since new, 115,000 miles ago.
BTW, the 1.4L MultiAir engine isn’t actually a twincam. It features 16 valves, but the intake valves are actuated via the MultiAir system’s oil-pressure driven, computer controlled actuators. There’s only one camshaft. The MultiAir system does crazy things like remove the need for a throttle body and blip the intake valves twice per cycle when idling to get a nice swirl going and use less fuel.
except it also is a nightmare if you get one that was not maintained properly and jiffy lube oil changes using the wrong type of oil.
grrrrr
At 6’8″ tall, I know I have plenty of headroom in the Cube (I’ve owned two in the past). If the car was six inches longer, it would have been a perfect daily driver. Got great gas mileage, had surprising storage in the “trunk,” and even the back seat was reasonable. I liked driving it. Boring color, but still a treat.
Asymmetry is not typically my jam, but I think the Cube pulls it off nicely.
I don’t part my hair in the middle, like a weirdo.
I mean… c’mon, it’s fine.
I can’t see the Cube without thinking of Jonah’s car in Veep. “minecraft piece of shit”
The cube was beaten with the ugly stick. I would take the Fiat for less.
Cube if I have to…I hate both of these cars…I would seriously take a couple rusted out project cars than these
Cube for the six speed, timing chain and those big couch like seats.
It’s a comfortable, competent runabout for a city dweller.
Normally, I’m a fan of “so ugly it’s cool”, but I don’t think I could daily the Cube. I appreciate the effort, but it’s a bit much to look at regularly. The Fiat isn’t an Abarth, but it’s light enough it might still be fun? Plus, I could hunt down one of those European espresso makers for it!
Hey if you are inside the cube you dont need to look at it.
How timely! I just saw a Cube the other day after not having seen one in a while and was thinking how underrated its design is. So I’ll be a square and take the Cube.
There is only one thing I don’t like about this particular Fiat 500. That god damn radio is so bad, and the steering wheel buttons have you accidentally hit the voice command for it way to easily. “oh I’ll just replace the radio”…not that simple.
It’s a single DIN slot, so you can replace it with a single DIN radio (why?). Or you can do a larger touchscreen. Ok…here’s the problem… if you want to do that you need a special bezel/adapter kit…seems easy enough, right? NO
The instructions have you cutting/modifying the air tubes for those A/C vents.. it’s such a stupid design.
Fiat did fix this starting in the 2017 model year where they put a familiar FCA touch screen with carplay/android auto.
Other than that, love the Fiat… that’s my vote because the Cube would be too depressing.